Any company can be breached, and any individual can be hacked. As cyberattacks have become more sophisticated, so too has the threat to businesses of all sizes.
Cybercriminals count on your not taking security seriously, and they are banking on the fact that you will get hacked.
What can you do to make sure your business is cybersecure?
When it comes to online security, remember that what matters isn’t so much how secure you keep the hackers out, but rather how protected you keep your data in case of a breach. Any cyber assailant can gain access to any company’s system if they try hard enough; the key keeps them from taking information with them when they leave or remain onsite.
1- Protect Your Company Data from Potential Attacks
Don’t let the threat of cybercriminals intimidate you and make you unwilling to transmit or store any data; instead, look at every security breach as an opportunity to learn from previous mistakes. There are five ideas for making sure that your business is cybersecure — and they’re all about learning from what others have done before:
2- Conduct a Security Audit (and then follow through on it):
The term “security audit” refers to an independent auditor evaluating aspects of your cybersecurity measures and practices. This piece will look at things like network access policies, password practices, and encryption standards. The most effective audits include a physical inspection and technology review with automated systems checking key indicators while performing the audit process. For example, if you have an anti-wiretapping policy in place, the technology will check to see if encryption is used on all devices and connections.
3- Backup your Vital Company Information and Data Regularly
No matter how secure an organization claims to be, there is always the risk of a physical break-in or theft. Ensuring that your business’s vital data is backed up regularly and stored off-site can protect you from this kind of breach. But if it does happen, having backups on hand makes recovering from a security breach much easier and faster than starting from scratch.
4- Make Your Company Network as Secure as Possible
Look for ways to improve the network’s design and use encryption programs like VPNs, SSL encryption, and firewalls. There are plenty of other ways to make the network more secure without turning work into a huge hassle for your employees: Password policies, access controls, separation protocols, and other steps can help protect your company.
5- Get Employees Involved in Security Protection
There are several ways to accomplish this, with the most common being a “security awareness” program. By emphasizing cybersecurity concerns at every level of business activities, you can ensure that all employees understand their responsibilities related to security policies. You’ll also make sure that there aren’t any overlooked aspects of your security — such as an employee who is aware of the importance of encrypting the network’s data but neglects to mention it until after the fact.
If you follow these five ideas for making sure your business is cybersecure, you will be far less likely to experience a breach or compromise. While no system is foolproof–and no security system is set up to prevent every type of attack–it’s crucial to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your business from cybercriminals.